Cover for closing an opening in a wall

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cover for closing an opening which is formed in a wall, especially in a trim part of a motor vehicle. The wall has on its inside in the area of the opening a supporting shape for the cover which makes it possible to turn the cover inserted in the opening between a closed position, wherein the cover closes the opening, and a tilted position around a tilt axis in which the cover is tilted from its closed position and is removable from the opening at the outside of the wall and/or insertable into the opening. On the cover a first ramp is formed which, when the cover is turned from its tilted position to the closed position, cooperates with a wall-mounted first guide such that the cover when in the closed position assumes a predetermined relative position. Alternatively or additionally a second ramp is formed on the cover, which cooperates with a wall-mounted second guide when the cover is turned from the closed position to the tilted position, such that the cover when in the tilted position assumes a predetermined position relative to the wall.

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for closing an openingwhich is formed in a wall, especially a part of the body of a motorvehicle.

[0002] A bumper of a motor vehicle is disclosed in DE 29 36 789 C2, inwhich an opening is created through which a device for towing thevehicle is accessible. To close this opening a cover is hinged on thebumper, which can be turned between a secured locking position in whichit covers the towing device and a secured open position in which thetowing device is accessible. The cover remains in its open position onthe bumper.

[0003] The present invention deals with the problem of providing, for acover of the kind referred to above, an improved embodiment to reduceespecially the danger of damage to the wall and/or to the cover itselfwhen the cover turns.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subjectmatter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are subjectof the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention is based upon the general idea for achieving apredetermined, definite relative position between cover and wall withthe aid of ramps for the closed position of the cover and/or for itstilted position. By this positive guidance of the cover when it turnsbetween two defined end positions, the turning motion of the cover canbe established such that any undesired, harmful contact between coverand wall is prevented, so that damage to the wall and/or the cover canbe prevented.

[0006] The invention is of special interest whenever the wall involves apainted part of a body, especially that of a motor vehicle, e.g., apainted bumper trim. Usually, for an enhanced aesthetic effect, thecover is painted in the same way as the trim. The paint on the cover iscomparatively delicate at its outer edge. By means of the invention asufficient space between cover and wall in the closed state of the covercan be assured, while at the same time, when it is changed between theclosed and tilted states, a sufficient space between cover and wall canbe assured. Thus any contact of the outer edge of the cover with theinner edge of the opening can be effectively prevented.

[0007] Additional important features and advantages of the inventionwill be found in the sub-claims, the drawings and the correspondingdescription of the figures with the aid of the drawings.

[0008] It is evident that the features named above and those to beexplained hereinafter can be used not only in the combination describedin each case but also in other combinations or by themselves, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the invention is represented in thedrawings and is further explained in the following description, whereinthe same reference numbers correspond to the same or functionally equalcomponents.

[0010] The following figures show, schematically in each case:

[0011]FIG. 1 a perspective rear view of a cover according to theinvention,

[0012]FIG. 2 a sectional view through the cover inserted into an openingin a wall, according to the section lines II in FIG. 1.

[0013] According to FIGS. 1 and 2 a cover and wall arrangement 1comprises a cover 2 for closing an opening 3 which is located in a wall4. This wall 4 can be formed, for example, by a part of the body of amotor vehicle. Preferably the wall 4 is formed by a bumper of a motorvehicle, especially a passenger car, wherein the opening 3 servespreferably to permit access through the bumper (wall 4) to a towingdevice, such as a tow ring or tow hook, for example.

[0014] The wall 4 has a shape 6 as a supporting shape for the cover 2.This supporting shape 6 runs around an edge 16 of the opening and is soconfigured or shaped that the cover 2 inserted into the opening 3 can beturned about a tilt axis 8 between a closed position shown in FIG. 2 andan open position. In FIG. 2 the cross section indicates that the axis 8is perpendicular to the plane of drawing. The tilt axis 8 runs parallelto the cover 2.

[0015] In the closed position the cover 2 closes the opening 3. Incontrast, the cover 2 when in the tilted position can be removed fromthe opening 3 or inserted into the opening 3 on the wall 4 from theoutside 9 thereof. For this purpose the cover 2 has a wall section 10,which is shaped so as to be substantially complementary thereto, sothat, when it is closed, this wall section 10 substantially fills theopening 3. Appropriately, a front side 11 of the wall section 10 facingaway from the wall's inner side is shaped such that in the closedposition it forms a component of the wall 4 that is integrated with theshape of the latter. That is to say, the cover 2 is adapted at its frontside 11 to the outer shape of the wall 4. In the preferred embodiment,in which the wall 4 is formed by a bumper trim, the bumper trim (wall 4)can be provided with paint on its exterior 9. Preferably the cover thenalso has on its front side 11 coat of paint 12 in order to integrate thecover 2, both in appearance and feel, into the wall 4.

[0016] The wall section 10 has on its back 13, facing away from thewall's exterior in the closed position, two lugs 14. These lugs 14protrude substantially radially, with respect to the tilt axis 8, over amargin 13 of the wall section 10 and of the cover 2, respectively. Inthe closed position according to FIG. 2, the lugs 14 catch behind themargin 16 of the opening 3 and rest against the wall's interior 5.

[0017] On its back 13 the wall section 10 furthermore bears two catchhooks 17 which are arranged opposite the lugs 14 with respect to theaxis 8. The catch hooks 17 rise from the back 13 of the wall section 10in the direction of rotation of the cover 2 with respect to the axis 8.In the closed state, the catch hooks 17 catch on a corresponding catchmeans 18 which is affixed to the wall. The catch hooks 17 areresiliently flexible radially with respect to the axis 8, so that atrouble-free releasable catching action can be achieved.

[0018] On its back 13, the wall section 10 furthermore has two firstramps 19 and two second ramps 20. The first ramps 19 cooperate with afirst guide means 21 which is affixed to the wall. In contrast, thesecond ramps 20 cooperate with a second guide mans 22, which also isaffixed to the wall.

[0019] The cover 2 operates as follows:

[0020] In the closed position represented in FIG. 2, the cover 2 isself-retained in the opening 3 and affixed to the wall 4. This closedposition is defined by the cooperation of the first ramps 19 with thefirst guide means 21, the result being a predetermined relative positionbetween the cover 2 and wall 4. It is desirable that this desiredrelative position be selected such that a desired gap 23 occurs in themarginal area between cover 2 and wall 4, which has a preferablyconstant gap width along the cover's outer edge 15 and the opening'sinner edge 16. In order to transfer the cover 2 from its closed positionto its tilted position, a pressure is applied to the cover in thedirection of the arrow 24 on the front side 11 of the wall section 10 inan area above the axis 8 remote from the catch hook 17; for example, theuser presses with a finger in the direction of arrow 24 against thecover 2. This force 24 is converted by the shape 6 beyond the axis 8 toa traction force on the catch hook 17. If the force applied 24 issufficiently great, the catch hooks 17, due to the chosen shape of catchhooks 17 and the catch shape 18, can yield radially with respect to theaxis 8, so that the catch hooks 17 snap out of their catch shape 18 andcome free.

[0021] Accordingly, the cover 2 can then tilt around the axis 8 to itstilted position.

[0022] In regard to its turning angle, the tilted position is definedsubstantially by the shape 6. But upon turning to the tilted position,however, the second ramps 20 additionally cooperate with the secondguide means 22, so that, in changing to its tilted position, the cover 2is positively guided, so that upon reaching the tilted position adefinite desired relative position is established between cover 2 andwall 4.

[0023] By means of the ramps 19 and 20 in conjunction with guides 21 and22, it is thus possible to assure that the cover 2, upon turning betweenits two end positions, will always have a minimum distance from the edge16 of the opening, so that the danger of damage to the opening edge 16and/or to the cover edge 15, especially the paints 7 and 12, is reduced.

[0024] In the tilted position, the cover 2 can now be drawn out of theopening 3. Opening 3 is then free. If opening 3 is to be closed again,first the cover 2 can be introduced into the opening 3 until it assumesits tilted position. Then the cover 2 can be returned to its closedposition by a pressure applied to the front end 11 in an area oppositethe catch 14 beyond the axis 8. Then the first ramps 19 cooperate withthe first guide 21 and force the cover to reach its closed position intothe predetermined, desired relative position between cover 2 and wall 4.As soon as the cover reaches its desired closed position, the catchhooks 17 catch on the catch shape 18. The curved path which the cover 2describes at its outer edge 15 is indicated in FIG. 2 by a broken line.

[0025] By means of the ramps 19 and 20 and the guides 21 and 22, therelative position of the cover 2 with respect to the axis 8 is definedin the radial direction. For guidance parallel to the axis a lateralguide 26 can be formed on the back 13 of the wall section 10 and canstand away from the back side 13 and contact axially the edge 16 of theopening, and thus it cooperates in the guidance. It is clear that two ormore such lateral guide elements 26 can be provided. Furthermore, thelateral guide element 26 can have a lateral ramp which, when the cover 2is turned to its closed position, forces the cover 2 to be centered inthe axial direction.

[0026] In the embodiment here shown, the two first ramps 19 and the twosecond ramps 20 are so arranged on the back 13 of the wall section 10that they lie opposite one another with respect to the axis 8. Thisbrings it about that the ramps 19 are associated with the closedposition and the other ramps 20 with the tilted position. Accordingly,in this embodiment also the first guide 21 and the second guide 22 inthe area of the opening 3 are arranged on the wall 4 such that they areopposite one another with respect to the axis 8.

[0027] Since the first ramps 19 are associated with the closed position,they are mounted with respect to the axis 8 on the same side as thecatch hooks 17 on the back side 13 of the wall section 10.Appropriately, the first ramps 19 and the catch hooks 17 are separatedfrom one another in the radial direction only relatively slightly withrespect to the axis 8. By this arrangement the first guide 21 and thecatch shape 18 can be formed on the same wall-mounted component 27. Thiscomponent 27 is made in the form of a bridge which runs substantiallyparallel to the axis 8 in the marginal area of the opening 3. In theclosed position in FIG. 2, this bridge 27 is arranged radially withrespect to the axis 8 between the catch 1 and the first ramps 19.Furthermore, The wall section 10 lies with its back 13 against thisbridge 27 when the cover 2 assumes its closed position. In the area ofthis component or bridge 27 a step 28 can furthermore be formed on theedge 16 of the opening, and will form an additional support for the edge15 of the cover when it is in the closed position.

[0028] So that the two ramps 20 may be associated with the tiltedposition of the cover 2, they are provided on the back 13 of the wallsections opposite the catch hooks 17 with respect to the axis 8.Advantageously, here too the second guide 22 is formed on a bridge-likecomponent 29. This bridge 29 runs in the marginal area of the opening 3substantially parallel to the axis 8. Bridge 29 can be shaped so thatthe wall section 10 rests with its back 13 on the bridge 29 when thecover 2 is in the tilted position. Preferably, the first bridge 27 isassociated with the first ramps 19 and the second bridge 29 isassociated with the second ramps 20, each close to the edge 16 of theopening, so as to permit a maximum width of the opening 3 when the cover2 is removed.

[0029] The first two ramps 19 are joined together by a first crosspiece30 which also rises from the back 13 of the wall section 10. In likemanner, the two second ramps 20 are joined together by a secondcrosspiece 31 which likewise rises from the back 13 of wall section 10.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the wall section 10 togetherwith the hooks 14, the catch hooks 17, the ramps 19 and 20, the lateralguiding element or elements 26 and the bridges 30 and 31 are in the formof a one-piece or monolithic component, especially an injection molding.To complete the cover 2 the wall section 10 can be provided with thepaint 12 if desired.

1. Cover for closing an opening (3) which is formed in a wall (4),especially in a part of the body of a motor vehicle, the wall (4) havingon its inside (5) near the opening (3) a supporting shape (6) for thecover (2), which makes it possible to turn the cover (2) inserted intothe opening (3) between a closed position wherein the cover (2) closesthe opening, and a tilted position about a tilt axis (8) wherein thecover (2) is tilted in relation to its closed position and is removableat the outside (9) of the wall (4) from the opening (3) and/or isinsertable into the opening (3), the cover (2) having a wall section(10) which is of a shape substantially complementary to opening (3) andsubstantially fills the latter in the closed position, the wall section(10) has, on its back (13) facing away from the wall exterior (9) in theclosed position, at least one lug (14) which protrudes substantiallyradially, with respect to the tilt axis (8), beyond a margin (15) of thewall section, and in the closed position is engaged behind a margin (16)of the opening (3), the wall section (10) having on its back (13) atleast one catch (17) opposite the at least one lug (14), which projectsfrom the back (13) with respect to the tilt axis (8) substantially inthe direction of rotation, and in the closed position is snapped onto acatch shape (18), while in the closed state, an application of pressure(24) to a front side (11) of the wall section (10), facing away from theback side (13), in an area lying opposite the at least one catch 17 withrespect to the tilt axis (8), results in the disengagement of the atleast one catch (17) from the catch shape (18) and [results] in theturning of the cover (2) out of its closed position to its tiltedposition, the wall section (10) has on its back at least a first ramp(19) and/or at least a second ramp (20), when the cover (2) is turnedfrom the tilted position to the closed position the at least a firstramp (19) cooperates with a first wall mounted guide means (21) suchthat the cover assumes in the closed position a predetermined positionrelative to the wall (4), when the cover (2) turns from the closedposition to the tilted position, the at least one second ramp (20)cooperates with a wall mounted second guide means (22) such that thecover (2) in the tilted position assumes a predetermined positionrelative to the wall (4).
 2. Cover according to claim 1, characterizedin that the at least one first ramp (19) and the at least one secondramp (20) are arranged opposite one another, with respect to the tiltaxis (8), on the back (13) of the wall section (10).
 3. Cover accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the first guide (21) and the secondguide (22) are arranged opposite one another on the wall in the area ofthe opening (3) with respect to the tilt axis.
 4. Cover according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least a first ramp(19) and the at least one catch (17) are arranged on the same side, withrespect to the tilt axis (8), on the back (13) of the wall section (10).5. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe first guide (21) and the catch shape (18) are formed on the samewall-mounted component (27) which is arranged in the closed positionbetween the at least one catch (17) and the at least first ramp (19). 6.Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that thefirst guide (21) is formed on a first bridge (27) which runs in themarginal area of the opening substantially parallel to the tilt axis (8)and on which the wall section (10) rests with its back in the closedposition.
 7. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterizedin that the at least one second ramp (20) and the at least one catch(17) are arranged opposite one another with respect to the tilt axis (8)on the back (13) of the wall section (10).
 8. Cover according to any oneof claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second guide (22) is formedon a second bridge (29) which runs in the marginal area of the opening(3) substantially parallel to the tilt axis (8) and rests with its back(13) on the wall section (10) in the tilted position.
 9. Cover accordingto any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the front side (11)of the wall section (10) is shaped such that in the closed position itforms a shape-integrated component of the wall (4).
 10. Cover accordingto any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that two first ramps (19)are provided which are connected together by a first crosspiece (30)and/or that two second ramps (20) are provided which are joined togetherby a second crosspiece (31).
 11. Cover according to any one of claims 1to 10, characterized in that the wall (4) is formed by a bumper trimpiece of a motor vehicle, the opening (3) permitting access to a towingdevice, e.g., a tow ring or tow hook, of the motor vehicle through thebumper trim (4) [sic].
 12. Cover-and-wall system, especially of a trimpiece of a motor vehicle, with a cover (2) for closing an opening (3)which is formed in a wall (4), the wall (4) having on its inside (5) inthe area of the opening (3) a supporting shape (6) for the cover (2)which makes it possible to close the cover (2) inserted into the opening(3) between a closed position wherein the cover (2) closes the opening(3) and a position in which it is tilted about a tilt axis (8), whereinthe cover is tilted with respect to its closed position and on theoutside (9) of the wall is removable from the opening (3) and/orinsertable into the opening, the cover (2) having a wall section (10)which is shaped substantially to complement the opening andsubstantially fills it [the opening] in the closed position, the wallsection (10) having on its back (13) facing away from the wall'sexterior (9) in the closed position at least one lug (14) which projectssubstantially radially, with respect to the tilt axis (8), past a margin(15) of the wall section (10) and in the closed position it reaches inback of a margin (16) of the opening (3), the wall section (10) havingon its back (13) with respect to the tilt axis (8) opposite the at leastone lug (14) at least one catch (17) which rises from the back (13) withrespect to the tilt axis (8) and in the closed position is snapped ontoa catch shape (18), an application of force (24) to a front side (11)facing away from the back (13) of the wall section (10) in an area whichlies opposite the at least one catch (17) with respect to the tilt axis(8), and leads to disengagement of the at least one catch (17) from thecatch shape (18) and to the turning of the cover (2) out of its closedposition to its tilted position, the at least one first ramp (19)cooperating, when the cover (2) is turned from the tilted position tothe closing position, with a first wall-mounted guide (21), such thatthe cover (2) assumes in the closed position a predetermined positionrelative to the wall (4), the at least one second ramp (20) cooperates,when the cover (2) is turned from the closed position to the tiltedposition, cooperates with a wall-mounted second guide (22) such that inthe tilted position the cover (2) assumes a predetermined positionrelative to the wall (4).
 13. Cover-and-wall arrangement according toclaim 12, characterized by the distinctive features of at least one ofclaims 2 to 11.